Mercedes Benz SL500 years to avoid
More than twice the SL500's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Mercedes Benz SL500 years
Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
Mercedes Benz SL500 complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Mercedes Benz SL500 problems
All model years combined.
- Suspension61
- Electrical59
- Brakes41
- Fuel system36
- Engine16
- Transmission14
- Airbags13
- Steering10
- Driver assistance9
- Body9
- Visibility7
- Acceleration5
Mercedes Benz SL500 problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 95 | 2 | Body | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2006 | 82 | 13 | Brakes | 54,000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 73 | 19 | Brakes | 40,282 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 38 | 45 | Suspension | 76,000 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2003 | 23 | 80 | Suspension | 62,859 | 0 | 2 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 94 | 3 | Electrical | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2000 | - | 2 | Brakes | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1999 | - | 2 | Transmission | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1998 | - | 6 | Electrical | 55,000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1997 | - | 9 | Airbags | 130,000 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1996 | - | 6 | Electrical | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1995 | - | 22 | Electrical | 100,000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1994 | - | 8 | Electrical | 90,000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1993 | - | 6 | Electrical | 72,000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1992 | - | 2 | Electrical | 0 | 0 |
Recalls 1
Mercedes Benz SL500 warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
Questions about the Mercedes Benz SL500
What years of the Mercedes Benz SL500 should you avoid?
2003. It has more than twice the Mercedes Benz SL500's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2003 alone has 80, mostly about suspension and fuel system.
What is the best year for a used Mercedes Benz SL500?
There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
What is the most common problem with the Mercedes Benz SL500?
Suspension, with 61 complaints across all years, followed by electrical (59) and brakes (41).
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz SL500 have?
1 recall between 1992 and 2009. The 1997 model year has the most, with 1.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Mercedes Benz SL500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history